Jaipur: The Rajasthan govt will soon deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to curb corruption in water supply and related projects across the state.Officials said the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) will set up a Centre of Excellence at the department’s Jal Bhawan headquarters with an allocation of Rs 10 crore. An additional Rs 50 crore will be spent on developing monitoring software enabling real-time oversight of schemes and projects from govt offices.“This centre will use IT solutions to focus on water security and resource optimization. The idea is to ensure that every movement of the officials gets recorded. We are hopeful that the system will bring transparency,” stated an official.Officials said that the new system would also allow site-specific tracking of project progress, detect incomplete work, and prevent delays.“PHED has been accused of accepting fake certificates while giving work orders to specific contractors in union govt sponsored Jal Jeevan Mission schemes. To add on, there are more serious allegations that these fake certificates had been prepared right inside the PHED office on a government computer. The AI technology will be very helpful in detecting such fake documents,” another official added.The department has also implemented technology such as AI-powered mobile applications, PLC, and SCADA systems to ensure transparency and efficiency in tanker operations, officials said. This digital approach enabled real-time tracking and enhanced control over the overall supply process.“PHED has already installed an AI based surveillance system to prevent pilferage and theft of valuable drinking water supplied from the Bisalpur Dam. The system has been successfully implemented at the hydrant in Malviya Nagar. It will ensure that no officials can fiddle with the tanker water supply to residents,” another official explained.
